Looking for
COLONEL MCKNIGHT
THE HERO FROM "BLACK HAWK DOWN"

Today we have the honor and opportunity to know a bit more about a man with more than 28 years of service. Combat duties in Panama (1989) and Somalia (1993) and awarded with two Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Purple Heart and the Ranger Tab among other Medals and Con Decorations. More than one can imagine who we are talking about, and that is Colonel Danny R. McKnight. Yes, you have read it correctly, like the guy in Black Hawk Down, but we are not interviewing the actor of the film, but the real Colonel who inspired the character. 

It´s an honor to meet you, Colonel. Thank you very much for accepting our invitation. Now you are enjoying your retirement, how does Colonel McKnight usually spend his time?

I keep myself busy with numerous speaking engagement nationwide on the importance of leadership. 

You have been in the military for many years, but now you’re a coach for companies… What leads you to get involved in the Milsim world?

I met John Lu back in Apr. 2002 via his Weekend of Heroes. John wanted me to speak at the event and make an Action Figure (not doll…ha..ha…) of me; at first I was unsure of what John was getting at, but once we got to know each other, I knew where his heart is and agreed to work with him.

John called again a few months later and asked if I come out for some “Airsoft” game, I told John I didn’t play Paintball and wouldn’t play paintball. But if you know John Lu, you know he’s very persistent and he explained that it wasn’t Paintball and it was to inspire young men and women to join the Service via “Black Hawk Down” theme in a mock combat exercise; he sold me.

Preparing Tom Sizemore

Tom Sizemore starred as Col. McKnight in Black Hawk Down. To prepare for the role, in addition to reading the book on which the movie is based and listening to the team of advisers, he phoned up the Colonel himself a few times. But he acknowledges that what helped him most were all the comments of the Rangers who served under the Colonel, things like, "No matter what you were doing, he was always there, in the streets, with you, beside you, fighting and leading his men."

A long time has passed since then, what makes OLC so unique to keep you there until now?

My intention was to go with it and see what transpires, after Lion Claws I in Bakersfield, I wasn’t sure if there’s Lion Claws II, in fact, at Lion Claws II I jokingly told John Lu that he would need to get me a wheel chair comes Lion Claws X, ha..ha.., and we’re going into Lion Claws XI.

Mainly I like where John Lu’s heart is; he’s always about paying tribute to military veterans, donating to military charity, working with recruiters, and that’s what made me continue to support John Lu.

Which would be the best milsim OLC event edition you remember?

Although I started with Lion Claws (and so did John Lu), I am very partial to Operation IRENE since the series was designed to directly pay tribute, almost a memorial event, to my 1993 mission in Somalia.

Excuse us if we become a little philosophical but, how dose Colonel McKnight understand milsim? Do you see it as just a game, or that good lessons can be learned out of this activity?

I would not do any other Paintball nor Airsoft other than what I do with John Lu twice a year; one is Lion Claws in May, and one is IRENE in October. While I have no trouble understanding the real military, I realize that civilian “military simulation” is quite different and I at times had to remind myself that these are not real soldiers and I can’t just shoot them when they disobey orders.

I think if young men and women take the exercise to heart and work alongside each other as these exercises are designed to be, they can walk away with a very valuable experience in Team Work.

From soldier to airsofter

Colonel McKnight never fails to attend every year two charitable airsoft events run by OLC. The first event is one of the best known in the world: Operation IRENE, which pays tribute to all the soldiers who fell in Somalia and to which he obviously feels very close. The other event is Operation Lion Claws, the most important event OLC organizes in the whole US.

We know a lot of veterans start playing airsoft after their tours, how can airsoft and milsim help veterans with PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder)?

John Lu is all about working with veterans although he doesn’t advertise it nor talk about it much. As a combat veteran, I find the camaraderie to be invaluable. I’m sure John Lu has documents and testimonials from numerous soldiers with PTSD who benefited from his events.

If you should pick just one thing, what do you think is the best and the worst of the milsim players?

Those who came with the desire to work as a team will succeed, those who came full of themselves will fail, and I’ve seen them both.

Some members of the military see milsim reenactment as a kind of Stolen Valor matter. What is your opinion about this?

I disagreed. These men and women are paying tribute to the military, some were inspired to join the military as a result of these events. I’ve personally testified against Stolen Valor in court, and majority of the people I met at John Lu’s event are not among those.

Although we would love it, most of us can´t assist the events that you participate in. What advise can you give us?

Have FUN. It’s not real war, it’s a WAR GAME, have fun, respect one another and remember those who served to give you the freedom to play war.

And while we have managed to make to jump to the USA, Have you considered assisting in an event organized in Europe?

I think John Lu talked about the potential possibilities at times, but he’s the boss, if he’s ready, he’ll let me know.

What is the funniest story you remember related to milsim?

After nearly 21 years of Airsoft, there have been many heart warming stories, but if it’s “funny” it probably involved Igor, our crazy Russian friend. Igor once hid a tiny pistol under his canteen, when he was captured, he asked if he could have a drink of water from his canteen, so we let him, he then pulled that pistol and held it to my neck and asked my guards to stand down. Well, I showed him how a Ranger disarms a Russian! Hooah!

Commitment to airsoft

Colonel McKnight, along with other personalities from the military world, has fought in recent years to get illegal airsoft games off the streets and into military installations where they can play responsibly and add a tactical factor to their experience.

The elite of the Rangers

McKnight has become known thanks to his appearance in the film as commander of the 3rd Ranger Battalion. This is part of the 75th Ranger Regiment, an elite special operations force in the US Army.  The regiment is composed of light infantry forces for rapid deployment with specialized skills that enable them to perform a variety of special operations missions. They are trained airborne forces prepared for infiltration by air, land or sea, and recovery of personnel and special equipment. Each battalion can be deployed anywhere in the world within 18 hours.